Spatial Skills are Crucial for Success in Math

Spatial reasoning... Spatial skills... Spatial thinking... Spatial analysis... Spatial awareness...

All of it is essentially the understanding of the location and dimension of objects. It is also how objects/items are connected or related to each other.

Spatial skills allow you to visualize objects and shapes in your head as well as manipulate them (rotate, flip, switch, turn, move, etc.) Think of when you are building a puzzle, and you see a piece and mentally begin to rotate that piece to gauge whether it will fit in the spot that you're eyeing up.

Spatial thinking is a necessary life skill (think map reading) but new research shows that it is also essential for mathematics learning. It's all largely connected to geometry. We know geometry is a big piece of mathematics and science. Geometry also plays a central role in careers such as art, astronomy, architecture, surveying, chemistry, geography, physics, biology and geology. We're learning that children and teenagers who are confident with spatial tasks are also confident with approaching mathematics, science, engineering and problem solving tasks. We also have discovered that the same parts of the brain (the parietal lobe) that are used for spatial thinking are also activated when we do mathematics work so in theory, strengthening that part of the brain would lead to a strengthening of skills (ex: math) also used by that same lobe.

So how do we foster strong spatial sense in our littles while their brains are sponging up everything? It's pretty simple, actually! All we need is LOTS of open-ended play centered around building, creating, patterns, puzzles, shapes, and direction!

Here are some tangible ideas for you:

1. PUZZLES: Any regular jigsaw for kids will build spatial skills! As children develop and work through various difficulties of puzzles, their skill set will grow. Consider some letter and number puzzles as well! These are especially great for visual distinction of letter and number shapes needed for reading, writing and math! We often see reversals of letters (ex: b, d, p and q being backwards or upside down) and numbers (2, 5, 7, 9) in writing and sometimes* this can be from low spatial awareness!

*reversals are a pretty 'common' error for children and not always indicative of low spatial awareness, there are other factors to be considered with this as well such as dyslexia and other reading challenges.

2. LEGO: Lego play can be great for developing spatial awareness, especially open ended Lego building. This just means there is no 'outcome' for the Lego, it is being used creatively in a way that suits the child's imagination in that moment. The kits with an outcome though are also still going to develop spatial awareness just as well.

3. TANGRAMS/GEO PUZZLES: These are fancy names for abstract shape puzzles like the one pictured above. These are the 'creme de la creme' of spatial reasoning! They require a little more creative thinking and problem solving that a traditional jigsaw and often can be solved multiple ways which is fantastic for developing fluid reasoning. They can be challenging and may cause some frustration at first, and that's ok. Supporting your child while they experiment with this type of puzzle is definitely worth it.

4. SPATIAL LANGUAGE: Use spatial and shape language in your day to day play and activities. Words like flip, turn, rotate, opposite, above, over, around, through, parallel, symmetrical, beside, perpendicular and directional language when exploring new places both indoors and outdoors: left, right, North, South, East, West, forward, backward, lateral, etc.

5. BLOCKS: Build stuff! It's as simple and fun as that! Just build stuff with different types of blocks! When a child is learning to build an enclosed space or even a tower or building it helps them create a sense of the abstract idea of space.

6. MAPS & ROADS: Bust out the cars, car maps and play road and train sets! These are great for developing navigational skills and incorporating that spatial language into play! This play specifically targets the hippocampus which is helpful in creating mental maps.

7. MAGNATILES: These have the same benefits as building with blocks and Legos. This kind of play is best when there is no outcome for the play (it is open-ended) but any building and creating with these helps strengthen a visual and concrete understanding of shapes because these tiles come in squares, triangles, pentagons, etc.

8. SHAPES: Shape sorting toys are great. Shape puzzles are great! Matching with regular 2D shapes (squares, triangles, circles) and real life items. Using irregular 2D shapes (pentagons, hexagons, etc.) frequently as well! Don't forget about 3D shapes (pyramids, prisms, cones, etc.), too!

9. BLOKUS: This game is such a wonderful spatial reasoning game! Let your little ones experiment placing the blocks on the game board in any random fashion! Eventually, you can encourage them to try to fit them all together with no gaps.

10. Rubik’s Cube: There is a very strategic spatial strategy used in solving the cube but simply letting littles experiment with the movement of the cube and tiles and attempting to even get one side all the same colour is a great place to start!

I hope this helps you find some ways to play with spatial skills this week!

-Ashley

If you enjoyed this article, consider subscribing below for first looks at new articles or consider pledging your support to my work or leaving a tip to support this venture. I appreciate all of my lovely readers! Thank you for taking time to read and grow with me.

Sources:

The Connection Between Spatial and Mathematical Ability Across Development: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5994429/